Zoé Watson’s latest single, “Like I Can,” serves as the title track of her debut EP, produced by Tim Bidwell in Brighton. The song opens with Zoé’s delicate, haunting vocals, which carry a fragile yet captivating presence. An organ, panned hard, adds a slightly disconcerting edge, though the mood softens when the drums and bass enter, grounding the arrangement. The result is an evocative and well-crafted piece that blends folk and jazz influences seamlessly.
Growing up on the edge of Dartmoor in South Devon, Zoé Watson draws inspiration from folk, jazz, and cinematic music. Her rural upbringing, along with her love for French lyricists such as Françoise Hardy and Jacques Brel, shapes her sound and writing. After spending time abroad in Europe, she returned to England, where she connected with Brighton’s vibrant music scene and began working on this EP. Recorded over 14 months, Like I Can reflects a period of personal growth and rediscovery, with influences from jazz greats like Billie Holiday and folk icons such as Joni Mitchell shining through.
With each song on the EP offering something unique in terms of genre and mood, Zoé Watson showcases her versatility as a singer-songwriter. “Like I Can” sets the tone for a collection of tracks that are both introspective and richly arranged.